Ana Julaton not yet ready to leave boxing behind

MANILA, Philippines – Former boxing world champion Ana Julaton says she isn’t ready to leave the sport of boxing behind for good despite campaigning in mixed martial arts.

Julaton (13-4-1, 2 knockouts), a 34-year-old Filipina who was born and raised in San Francisco, California, made a place for herself in boxing history when she became the first Pinay pugilist to capture a world title by winning the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) women’s junior featherweight belt against Kelsey Jeffries in September 2009.

The 5-foot-5 “Hurricane” doubled the feat by claiming the inaugural World Boxing Organization (WBO) female super bantamweight strap in June 2010 when she closely outpointed Maria Elena Villalobos.
She went on to successfully defend the 122-pound trinket three times before dropping it to Yesica Patricia Marcos in a lopsided contest in March 2012.

Since her disappointing setback to Marcos, Julaton won three of her four bouts, defeating the likes of Yolanda Segura, Abigail Ramos and Perla Hernandez.

After a seven-year stint in boxing, Julaton made headlines in March when she decided to make the transition to MMA by signing an exclusive contract with ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC).

Julaton had a successful MMA debut this past May at ONE FC: Rise of Heroes, where she stopped Egyptian kickboxing champion Aya Saeid Saber via third-round technical knockout.

Promoted as a boxer by Allan Tremblay of Orion Sports Management, she was expected to be back in the ring three weeks after her clash with Saber, but the fight did not push through.

Julaton then continued to raise some eyebrows regarding her status as a boxer earlier this month when she was booked to square off with Ann Osman at ONE FC: Reign of Champions, which takes place at the World Trade Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on August 29.

Even if she sees action in MMA for the second time this year, Julaton clarified the she does not see herself hanging her eight-ounce boxing gloves given her ardent desire to contend for a world title in the near future.

“No, I’m not ready to leave boxing. I still look forward to boxing. Though I will admit, it is daunting to not have the opportunities to fight Yesica Marcos and other world champs like Jackie Nava and Marcela Acuna on a stage deserving of those types of fights,” she tells Rappler.

Julaton pointed out that her preference to stay active prompted her to once again fight under the ONE FC banner rather than risk having no substantial activity while waiting for her next outing in boxing.

“I remember after my first pro boxing fight, Freddie Roach preached that activity is always good for fighters. I believe in that too because a live fight is much different than practice. My team and I have been working on more material, while I continue honing my boxing skills. In my mind, I’m preparing myself for either sport to provide an opportunity to fight,” she quipped.

According to Julaton, Tremblay is presently negotiating with Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum for potential opponents in her return to the squared-circle.

“My boxing promoter, Allan Tremblay, has been battling cancer and is at the tail end of beating it. He’s such a warrior that he has also been overlooking my boxing schedule. Currently, he’s in talks with Bob Arum. Both are working something out on that end,” Julaton disclosed.

Julaton prepared to fight Osman

A tough test awaits Julaton as she is slated to lock horns with a well-rounded opponent in Osman at ONE FC: Reign of Champions.

Osman (0-1), Malaysia’s first professional female MMA combatant, stepped in for Irina Mazepa to battle Julaton after the 31-year-old Russian was forced to pull out from the three-round flyweight tussle due to an injury that she sustained in practice.

The 28-year-old “Athena” trains out of the Borneo Tribal Squad under the tutelage of AJ “Pyro” Lias Mansor and has been seen training with Fil-Am stalwart Mark Striegl, former UFC fighter Will Chope and PXC female competitor Nathalie Heidel.

Osman gained prominence in the international MMA scene when she stood up and exchanged heavy leather from bell to bell with Singaporean rival Sherilyn Lim at ONE FC: Total Domination in October of last year, but her foe managed to walk away with the split decision.

Julaton is not perturbed that there has been a change in opponent, asserting that she is ably prepared to take on whoever she will face on fight night.

“I’ve experienced having opponent changes in professional boxing and ready or not, the show must go on. My team and I have been focused and continued to work. The intensity remained the same. As a fighter, I have to adapt to situations inside and outside of the arena,” she stressed.

For her second ONE FC appearance, she is working with her longtime mentor Angelo Reyes and Chris Ben-Tchavtchavadze, the former trainer of renowned women’s MMA fighter Gina Carano.

“We’ve been working diligently, building from the last camp, improving, working on new material, and honing my skill set. Anyone who’s fought me in boxing knows that I always bring the different type of fight in every match. I can assure you that August 29th will be another version on my MMA you have not seen yet,” Julaton guaranteed.

Despite the possibility that Osman may pull off an upset against her, Julaton remains confident that her hand will be raised in victory.

“As I fighter, I am always confident. I’ve experienced to fight at a world class level. That’s already an unparalleled advantage. All I know is that ONE FC will continue to test my skills as a fighter and see what level I’m at. On August 29, I look forward to all challenges that I may face and prove my worth. I can promise you that I will have fun, just like in Manila,” she ended. – Rappler.com